Microsoft unveiled its newest version of its Xbox 360 gaming system Monday and users will actually have to get off the couch to play.

The new system, called Kinect, is controller-free, meaning players will have to use their bodies to play the games.

"It makes the user the controller," Mike Delman, the company's vice president of global marketing for Microsoft's interactive entertainment business, said in a statement.

The gaming system shows the reach of technology. But in more simplistic terms it gets people moving.

Many say video games are one of the things contributing to obesity. Kids - and grown men too if you really look at the demographics of gamers - spend hours in front of the television performing little physical activity other than the tap, tap, tap of their fingers against the controller. And sometimes they may get up to go to the bathroom.

With the new system, players will be able to score soccer goals with their heads and "use their entire bodies to steer racing carts around turns and over jumps," according to the Microsoft statement.

I know, I know. It's not the same as riding a bike or rollerskating for hours on end like many of us did as kids. And I'm not even sure Microsoft was thinking of physical fitness when creating this game. But it sure is a start to curbing the couch potato mentality adopted by so many of our kids. Look at the kids playing the game in the picture above.

What do you think? Are we talking video game fitness here?

Photo courtesy of Reuters